Boxing: Allen ready to take out his frustration on new opponent

Liam Hoden

The ‘new’ David Allen will roll with the punches after his scheduled title fight was cancelled at late notice.

That is the verdict of trainer Stefy Bull who expects the newly trim Conisbrough heavyweight to take his frustration out on the change opponent this weekend.

Allen had been due to face Adam Machaj for the vacant Central Area heavyweight title at Sheffield Arena on Saturday night. But the Lancashire opponent withdrew on Monday with a back injury, cancelling the title fight and sparking a frantic search for a new opponent for Allen.

“It’s massively frustrating for David because he has worked his socks off for this fight,” Bull said.

“He’s in tremendous shape. He’s never been anywhere near this before and he looked like walking through the opponent at the weekend.

“David has dedicated everything to getting in the best possible shape for the fight. He doesn’t even look like the same kid as he did a few months ago. He’s ripped and he’s fit.

“It’s a blow but he’ll still be out at the weekend and hopefully it’ll not take him too far off the course we were on.”

Saturday’s event has proved to be a troubled show with headliner Kell Brook forced out of his world title defence against Diego Chaves with injury.

Bull said: “We’ve had a sleepless night or two over it but it’s nothing too concerning.

“David will have plenty of frustration to take out on someone on Saturday.

“And with the way he’s been looking in training, I wouldn’t fancy getting in there with him.

“He’s looked incredibly sharp and shown off his skills in sparring.

“For the first time in his boxing career, he’s not playing at it. He’s doing things properly and you can see the results just by looking at him.”